May 15 and the significance it holds in the annals of human calendar marks an important epoch in the commemoration of birth anniversaries world over.
The date reminisces about the birth of two men whose penchant for public service and upward career trajectory transcends human quantification and qualify for an encyclopedia in a symphony of human knowledge.
Rivers State, an oil and gas hub with an unbeaten record as the most politically delicate and hostile terrain in Nigeria located in the Niger Delta region of the country was the recipient of the gift of this day; a set of twins; Sir Chief Hon. Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria (JCA) DSSRS Ksc, and Sir Chief Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill, Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, – whose giant strides in their various fields earned them the sobriquet -‘Rivers greatest and Digital Twins.’
It has long been settled that their birth was a divine orchestration carefully schemed by God for some special distinguishable assignments for the good of society.
While Professor Owunari graduated from University of Port Harcourt, Justice Biobele studied at University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Tricia Marrapodi in his quote with the Georgewills in mind stated, “Being a twin is like being born with a best friend”. These two great gifts to Nigeria have maintained their relationship as both brothers and best friends and have most importantly continued to excel in their distinct career paths. While Hon. Sir Justice Biobele is a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria, Professor Owunari is a Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the current Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, one of the best Federal Universities in Nigeria. These remarkable twins are no doubt, a global brand and have continued to preform meritoriously in their professional engagements, leaving indelible prints on the sands of time.
Throwing more light about these two distinguished sons of Rivers State, a seasoned Journalist with the Sun Newspaper highlighted, “Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill and Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill are two notable personalities in one with exceptional academic prowess and intelligence.
When Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill was a High Court judge of Rivers State, as a journalist covering the Judiciary, I loved covering his court because of the way he handled cases and kept lawyers on their toes. He was extremely outstanding.
Talking about Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, VC, University of Port Harcourt, I have attended several academic events where he spoke. And you would see the intellectual aura he carries. Two of them are rare breeds.”
I have no reservations to mention that I am one Nigerian with the rare privilege of a very cordial relationship with the ‘Rivers Twins’, particularly the erudite Professor who enjoys the luxury of social interactions more than his twin brother, the Hon. Justice Biobele Georgewill, whose extra-judicial relationships, interactions and activities are minimal and guided by the strict rules of the bench in line with what are considered best practices for Judicial Officers.
The above notwithstanding, I will still attempt to expose to the world this unassuming, humility personified, unique extraordinary fellow but most importantly one of our best BRAINS in the Judiciary in Nigeria at any given time.
BRIEF RESUME OF SIR HON JUSTICE BIOBELE ABRAHAM GEORGEWILL, JCA, DSSRS, KSC
Hon Sir Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State of Nigeria, Knight of St Christopher, is one of the set of twins born on 15th day of May 1965.
His Lordship had his Primary Education from 1970 to 1976 and his Secondary Education from 1976 to 1981 all in Rivers State Nigeria and later obtained his LLB (Honours) Degree, Second Class Lower, from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1984 to 1988 and subsequently obtained his professional qualification certificate of BL (Honours), Second Class Lower, from the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island Lagos from 1988 to 1989.
On 14th December 1989, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in Lagos, Nigeria. He had his NYSC in the Ministry of Justice, Kwara State of Nigeria from 1989 to 1990.
Biobele had extensive private legal practice in Kwara, Kogi, Benue and Rivers States in Nigeria and later became the Managing Solicitor and Principal Counsel in the law firm of B. A. Georgewill & Associates, Legal Practitioners & Corporate Consultants, in Port Harcourt for many years.
On 22nd day of April 2002, by dint of hard work and the grace of God, His Lordship was elevated to the High Court Bench in Rivers State as a Judge at the relatively young age of 36.
In 2003, His Lordship was appointed the Registrar of the Diocese of Niger Delta of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). In 2004, His Lordship was voted the best judge in the Rivers State Judiciary by the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch. In the same year he was investitured as a Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) of the Diocese of Niger Delta, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion. He also received the “Centenary Achievers Award” of the National Executive of the Young Women Christian Association, (YWCA).
In 2005, he was appointed the Deputy President of the Scout Movement of Nigeria, Rivers State Command and also served as the National Patron of the Association of Drama Ministers in Nigeria (ANCEDRAM). In 2006, he received the Development in Nigeria Merit (DINMA) in the Legal Profession by PSR National Award Committee, Abuja, Nigeria. Between 2007 and 2008, he served as a Member of the Election Tribunal in Anambra and Edo States respectively. In 2010, his lordship was appointed the Lord Chancellor of the Diocese of Niger Delta of the Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion).
In 2011, he served as the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Communal crisis in Ogoni land between K – dere & B – Dere Communities. In 2013, his lordship served as the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He was later elevated to the high office of a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria at the relatively young age of 48. In December 2015, he served on the Appeal Panel on the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria. In the same year, he was appointed a National Patron of Anglican Youth Fellowship of Nigeria, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
In April 2015, he was nominated and served as a Member of the Panel of Judges at the Finals of the World University Moot Court Championship organised by the World Jurists Association which held in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. In 2016, he served as the President of the Panel of Judges at the West African University Moot Court Championship held at the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
In August 2017, he was appointed by H. E. Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, the Acting President of Nigeria as Chairman of the Presidential Investigation Panel to Investigate Compliance with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement by the Nigerian Armed Forces in the Fight against Insurgency and Militancy in Nigeria.
In August 2018, His Lordship was appointed by H.E. President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone as the Chairman and Sole Commissioner of the Sierra Leone Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Government of the Immediate Past President of Sierra Leone 2007 – 2018 and his Ministers.
Biobele is a very hardworking and incorruptible judge and a quintessential gentleman and a consummate professional, who is the author of the book: “The Right to a Good Name”, a book which has enjoyed so much review and remains a book of reference on the law of defamation in Nigeria till date.
His Lordship is a much sought after speaker in several professional, academic and religious seminars and conferences as a resource person, including his recent invitation to speak at the Radcliff Institute of Harvard University in Boston United States of America.
His Lordship is a recipient of several awards from several reputable organizations, local, national and international, and commendations for excellence from the National Judicial Council for his commitment and excellence performances in the discharge of his judicial functions as a judge.
He is happily married to his wife, Dame Funmilayo Stella Biobele Georgewill JP, an Administrator and Educationist, and his blessed with four princely daughters, Fustinah, Lolia, Emmanuellla and Princess and a foster son, Afam and two grandsons, Emeka and Munachim
His lordship upholds a personal philosophy of life that ‘Godly Contentment is Great Gain’.
JUSTICE GEORGEWILL AND SOLUTION TO THE POLITICAL QUAGMIRE FACING NIGERIA POLITICS
Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill in one of his lectures proffered solution to the politicians always reverting to the court for a way out of most of their challenges suggested that the key to keeping judiciary out of politics in Nigeria is the enthronement of internal democracy in the country’s political parties.
He made the historical assertion while delivering a lecture with the theme, ‘Judicialization of Politics in Nigeria: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities’, on the occasion of the Law Week organised by the Yenagoa branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
He suggested that the ways forward are overall good governance, transparent and credible elections, enthroning and enforcing internal democracy in political parties and amendment of the Electoral Act to accommodate smart card readers.
He also recommended the establishment of an independent electoral offences commission, setting up of political parties’ commission and the reduction of judicial interference in political parties’ affairs.
He equally recommended an amalgam of justices and judges to hear and determine all election petitions once and with finality, stressing that the process would reduce the time, energies and resources as well as tensions in the land over post-election matters.
The two great twins were recently honoured with the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) highest awards Education.
PROF OWUNARI ABRAHAM ABRAHAM GEORGEWILL KSC, FIIA, FIHSC, FWASOT, DFCIHTMA AND HIS EXTRAORDINARY FEATS:
Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill, KSC, FRSB, London, is a Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, an erudite scholar, a respected administrator and an author of repute with several publications to his credit. As Vice Chancellor, he has introduced several revolutionary inputs which are instrumental to the current status of the University of Port Harcourt as one of the best public tertiary institutions in Nigeria today.
In one of my press statements titled, “Ranking UNIPORT As Number One University In Nigeria Proves That Vice Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill Is Truly A Trailblazer, An Extraordinary Visionary Administrator And Superlative Performer” where I celebrated the emergence of the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) under the leadership of Prof Georgewill as the best in the Nigerian Universities ranking, I stated that this feat was a laudable made possible by the sterling performance of the management team of the institution led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill, KSC, FIIA, FIHSC, FWASOT, DFCIHTMA, who is leading an aggressive campaign for a holistic reform through a carefully crafted action plan targeted at placing the University on the global map.
In that statement which went viral, I further highlighted that uniRank World Universities Rankings & Reviews and Nigeria University Rankings for the year 2024 saw Uniport beating 160 other universities in Nigeria in multiple criteria to emerge top on the list.
To me this was a giant stride in the university’s ambitious pursuit of a pride of place in the global index under the leadership of Prof. Owunari Georgewill, reaffirmed his confidence in the university’s management team to transform the school into a model for other universities in Africa.
I highlighted that the achievement calls for celebration from people of goodwill across the board, emphasizing that the Vice Chancellor and his team deserve some accolade for their determined efforts in ensuring that the university is strategically transformed to compete favourably with global counterparts, adding that the quality of leadership adopted in administering the institution has continued to pay off in very appreciable degrees.
I further commended the Vice Chancellor for placing utmost priority on the welfare, growth and development of staff of the institution in areas considered as fundamental to giving the required boost to their career and giving them worthwhile and enduring workplace experience.
The implementation of the modified career structure which brought to an end many years of stunted growth and career stagnation amongst staff of the institution, is a thoughtful initiative that is helping the university deliver on its mandate in teaching, learning, research, community service and entrepreneurship.
Some of the criteria for the uniRank selection include- being chartered, licensed or accredited by the appropriate Nigerian higher education-related organization offering at least three-year bachelor’s degrees or postgraduate master’s or doctoral degrees delivering courses predominantly in a traditional, non-distance education format.
UniRank aims to provide a non-academic League Table of the top Nigerian Universities and Colleges based on valid, unbiased and non-influenceable web metrics provided by independent web intelligence sources rather than data submitted by the Universities themselves.
For the University of Port Harcourt to dust notable institutions like UNN, UI, UNILAG, OAU etc all established many years ago, is evident that the VC., Prof Georgewill is not only a trailblazer but an extraordinary administrator with a massive degree of competence.
Proverbs 29:2 tells us more about Prof Georgewill and the force behind his style of Administration:
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
Prof. Owunari Georgewill exemplified the foregoing of a righteous man in leadership. Both the students, the academics, the non-academics and the host communities, even the general public are rejoicing under the administration of Georgewill in UniPort. Never has it been so in the annals of that ivory tower. Do you know why?
Because a Godly who understands the epistemology cum logic of university administration is the the saddle. Not only is he humane but also, has infectious humility. The Vice Chancellorship is just a stepping stone for him, for he has acquitted himself creditable!
To the Dean of Students Affairs of the University Professor Chima Chibuike Wokeocha stated as follows, the incredible impact Prof. Owunari has made in his field is enormous. His achievements are a reflection of his talent, dedication, and resilience. Recognizing his tireless efforts and impressive accomplishments. the Dean of Student Affairs describes the Vice Chancellor as a role model whose success story motivates people to strive for excellence. He stands out as an exceptional leader whose love and care of both Staff and students is infectious no matter the position of anybody the fact remains that Prof Georgewill is doing great in university of Port Harcourt
Look at the present hardship facing us as a nation, Prof Georgewill as a caring father instituted a scholarship for some indigent student in collaboration with his twin brother, Justice Biobele Georgewill.
Apart from this, he ensured that the university provided students with foodstuffs to help reduce the effect of the harsh economy on them.
Looking at the economic situation where so many students of the university lack food stuff due to the economy, the Vice Chancellor set up a team that will be going from the hostel to the hostel to play a lucky dip game where any student who picks an item like a Rice pack, noodles pack or Tea pack will get the items which can last the students for at least a month
It’s more like palliatives. It is entirely free and his main target is to provide at least 100 students in each hostel of the university.’
This act is the highest demonstration of love that I have ever seen amongst human beings.”
Let me formally conclude this treatise by stating that my good friends Chief Sir Professor Owunari Georgewill has served at the highest decision making organ of the University of Port Harcourt governing council, while his twin brother, Chief Sir Hon Justice Biobele served as a panelist in Commission of Inquiry, Freetown. They have occupied distinctive positions in the University of Port Harcourt and in the Judiciary (local and international) respectively.
I must proudly state that Nigeria, Rivers State and kalabari kingdown in particular is blessed to have such men of impeccable qualities as sons and I am very lucky to have such great minds as a friends.
As I join friends, brothers and associates to celebrate this World’s most celebrated Twins, I pray God to grant them more fruitful years for better services to humanity.
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Port Harcourt based Media Consultant & can be reached on: ezemediaconcept2020@gmail.com or 08022049770.
